Time-domain reflectometer based measurement system
US5717337A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F25/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Time-domain reflectometry based measuring systems which include transmission lines having an inner conductor and a ground conductor, a pulse generator generating pulses on the transmission line, and a pulse circuit producing oscillation pulses from pulse reflections caused by disturbances, such as a material interface, within the transmission line. The oscillation pulses induce subsequent transmission line pulses, beneficially using sing-around. A peak detector detecting the peak amplitude of the reflections and producing a trip-point voltage for the pulse circuit may be included. Transmission lines having a wound inner conductor and one or more switched taps which are selectively shorted to the ground conductor may be used. The system oscillates with pulses at frequencies which depend upon the state of the switches. Those frequencies (or periods) can be resolved into a parameter which depends upon the position of a transmission line disturbance. A single-point sensor which assists in calibration may be included.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.